Julissa James, Los Angeles Times Journalist Profile

Articles

Lonely in L.A.? These 21 places and experiences will help you embrace it

3 weeks ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

A few years ago, I was at a coffee shop in Silver Lake where two friends were reuniting. One had moved to the Bay Area recently and was back in L.A. for a visit; the other apparently still lived here. Bay Area friend was updating L.A. friend on his new life — the loved ones he saw multiple times thanks to short BART rides, the walks he took through his neighborhood, the baristas he’d grown friendly with.
Jasmine Benjamin's book "City of Angels" documents L.A. style

1 month ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

It was Jasmine Benjamin’s friend, the gallerist Jeffrey Deitch, who persuaded her she needed to make a book about L.A. style. From her early days going to shows and working the door at parties to her many years hustling as a stylist, Benjamin knew everyone — designers, skaters, musicians. She was fluent in the visual language that made up the city, knew its subcultures and neighborhoods like the back of her hand.
A city built by seekers: A journey into L.A.'s spiritual architecture

1 month ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

To live in L.A. is to be so inundated with the architecture of its spirituality (and quasi-spirituality) that you don’t even notice it’s there anymore. It’s baked into the foundation of the place, camouflaging as scaffolding as we go about our daily routines. The Church of Scientology becomes nothing but the place you pass by on your way to Found Oyster. The signs on the telephone poles in all caps — “SE LEEN LAS CARTAS” — are part of the neighborhood color.
Relive a Y2K quinceañera in L.A., in all its nostalgia and tenderness

2 months ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

Los Angeles Nomadic Division is celebrating 15 years of championing the city’s artists, and cultural curator Anita Herrera is throwing a true Y2K L.A. quinceañera in its honor on April 26. Titled “El Quince,” the creative project, fundraiser and celebration is just the latest example of Herrera using parties as an artistic medium, which feels like a fitting way to celebrate the milestone at LAND, an organization known for realizing artists’ projects.
Pretending a fresh start is a good thing, or even possible, isn’t growing up

2 months ago | miamiherald.com | Julissa James

The first thrift store I remember going to as a child was called Amvets. It was a warehouse-like space that sat between the alley of an apartment complex, a trailer park and a gas station. I'd spend hours under the rows of industrial fluorescent lights playing with the plastic toys that lined the left wall, or I'd hide behind the cheap bridal gowns, hugging a bushel of taffeta until my arms stung.
At the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards, everyone understood the assignment

2 months ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

The Fashion Trust U.S. Awards? You kind of had to be there. After the point in the ceremony when Natasha Beddingfield sang “Unwritten” at the top of her lungs, the entire room overtaken by euphoric nostalgia, moving and singing in her reflection, host Keke Palmer correctly retorted: “Why do we all go up for that song?”One: Because it’s a classic. Two: Because it’s filled with hope, pointing us to what’s next.
At the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards, everyone understood the assignment

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Julissa James

The Fashion Trust U.S. Awards? You kind of had to be there. After the point in the ceremony when Natasha Beddingfield sang “Unwritten” at the top of her lungs, the entire room overtaken by euphoric nostalgia, moving and singing in her reflection, host Keke Palmer correctly retorted: “Why do we all go up for that song?”One: Because it’s a classic. Two: Because it’s filled with hope, pointing us to what’s next.
Pretending a fresh start is a good thing, or even possible, isn’t growing up

2 months ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

The first thrift store I remember going to as a child was called Amvets. It was a warehouse-like space that sat between the alley of an apartment complex, a trailer park and a gas station. I’d spend hours under the rows of industrial fluorescent lights playing with the plastic toys that lined the left wall, or I’d hide behind the cheap bridal gowns, hugging a bushel of taffeta until my arms stung.
A shopping experience bringing rare design, art and fashion - with a little bit of intimidation

2 months ago | fresnobee.com | Julissa James

It was clear while ascending to the Pacific Design Center that Design.Space - the inaugural retail experience blending rare design, art and fashion - was for the heads. In the parking lot, I spotted a woman wearing a coat from the Row, another in a pair of Miu Miu thong-boots. The signaling was subtle but clear: We come to this place for flexing. I followed them and other stylish people to the top floor of the center, where rooms holding rare works of art, housewares, furniture and fashion awaited.
A shopping experience bringing rare design, art and fashion — with a little bit of intimidation

2 months ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

It was clear while ascending to the Pacific Design Center that Design.Space — the inaugural retail experience blending rare design, art and fashion — was for the heads. In the parking lot, I spotted a woman wearing a coat from the Row, another in a pair of Miu Miu thong-boots. The signaling was subtle but clear: We come to this place for flexing. I followed them and other stylish people to the top floor of the center, where rooms holding rare works of art, housewares, furniture and fashion awaited.

Journalists covering the same region

Bill Esparza

Freelance Writer at Eater

Bill Esparza primarily covers news in Los Angeles, California, United States and surrounding areas including Long Beach and Santa Monica.

Michele Gile

Reporter at KCBS-TV (Los Angeles, CA)

Reporter at KCAL-TV (Los Angeles, CA)

Michele Gile primarily covers news in the Greater Los Angeles area, including cities like Long Beach and surrounding regions in California, United States.